Tag archives: horses

Elevated Experiences: Fess Parker Ramps Up Wine-Inspired Offerings
By Gabe Saglie   |   August 22, 2023

The Parkers have been busy.  The multi-generational enterprise behind a slew of visitor options across the Santa Ynez Valley is repositioning itself as a local leader in the arenas of wine and hospitality. “People these days who are investing to come visit our area – they do have higher expectations today than they used to,” […]

What Patti Smith Draws From
By Steven Libowitz   |   August 8, 2023

Patti Smith’s legacy as one of the most provocative, literary, and influential rock singer-songwriters in history is just part of her artistic achievement. Perhaps the only artist whose accolades include induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a National Book Award, and a Legion of Honor from the French government, Smith remains a […]

A Fine Equine Dine
By Richard Mineards   |   May 16, 2023

More than 200 guests turned out for the Channel City Club’s lunch at the Hilton featuring international horse whisperer 87-year-old Monty Roberts, a resident of Solvang, who became an intimate of the late Queen Elizabeth given his unique training methods with equines. The Reagan Room lunch, hosted by his longtime friends Peter and Gerd Jordano, […]

Success at the Polo Club
By Richard Mineards   |   May 10, 2022

Santa Barbara Polo Club is now by royal appointment! Prince Harry is going to be playing regularly on the Los Padres team with his good friend, Argentinian Ralph Lauren Polo model Nacho Figueras, in the 12-goal tournament at the lush Carpinteria equestrian facility.  “Prince Harry is an avid polo enthusiast and player, and has played […]

Polo Gallops Back
By Richard Mineards   |   April 19, 2022

After nearly two years of limited access to the public, the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is back at the gallop! Opening day is May 1 for a riveting season of action-packed games and exhilarating tournaments. “We have a record number of teams participating at every level, with many of the world’s most talented […]

Redwings Horse Sanctuary
By Steven Libowitz   |   March 17, 2022

Back in 2006, the year before horse slaughter in the U.S. ceased for good, the last three such stateside slaughterhouse facilities killed more than 100,000 horses for human consumption, shipping the meat overseas. Even with those facilities shuttered, approximately 75,000 American horses are still shipped to their deaths in foreign slaughterhouses every year, although the […]

Montecito Provided the Platform for Her Ambition
By Stella Haffner   |   November 16, 2021

When I talk to little kids about psychology, I tell them that psychologists are interested in how people think, feel, and act. I like to remind them that there are many amazing things that change about us as we grow up. For example, if exposed to sign language from an early age, deaf children will […]

Keep Up That Racquet, Please!
By Richard Mineards   |   April 29, 2021

It’s all systems go at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club! As the Carpinteria equestrian facility marks its 110th season with its official opening on May 2, the club will be open to spectators as pandemic lockdown rules are eased. “It will be nice to have people back in the stands,” said club manager […]

Polo and Ponies
By Lynda Millner   |   March 11, 2021

One of the things that fascinated me when we first moved to Santa Barbara in the mid-‘70s was the polo field just south of town. We soon became social members even though we lived in town and spent many a Sunday watching and learning about polo and its ponies. Yes, they are called ponies. We […]

Preparing for Polo
By Richard Mineards   |   May 7, 2020

Santa Barbara Polo Club, which was re-scheduled to kick off its 109th season on May 15, now plans to launch in July, according to manager David Sigman. “The health and safety of our membership, staff, and the community are of the utmost importance to us,” says David. “As we look ahead toward the possible reopening […]

Horsing Around
By Richard Mineards   |   April 2, 2020

The Santa Barbara Polo Club is delaying the start of its 109th season, which was scheduled to kick off on May 1, because of the coronavirus. Instead, the hotly anticipated initial equestrian event, the Folded Hills Pope Challenge, has been rescheduled for May 15, with the 12-goal schedule continuing through July 5. “The club is […]

Horse Sense for Healing
By Steven Libowitz   |   March 26, 2020

Rebekah Powell grew up outside of Nashville, aka Music City, USA, where her family’s business, not surprisingly, was songwriting. Her father, Monte Powell, was a longtime collaborator with Keith Urban, and other artists who recorded his songs include Tracy Byrd, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tim McGraw, Collin Raye, and Restless Heart. Rebekah’s older sister, Suzannah Powell, […]

Horsing Around for Connection
By Steven Libowitz   |   February 13, 2020

The new Connect with Horses, Connect with Yourself Meetup finally has its first gathering this weekend: an introductory Self-Care & Self-Love Workshop in Santa Ynez that is open to anyone interested in deepening their self-love and creating sustainable practices for self-care via observing and interacting with gentled mustangs. Certified Equus and Experiential Life Coach Rebekah […]

Local Crime
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   August 22, 2019

Earlier this week, the Journal received a call from a local horse owner asking us to get the word out about a crime that had been committed against one of her horses. Her three retired horses and one miniature donkey live in a large corral on a property on East Valley Road between Sheffield and […]

Century Club Ride
By Richard Mineards   |   August 15, 2019

Santa Barbara equestrian Karen Jenkins, 80, is presenting her quarter horse Homer, 20, in a Century Club Ride, sponsored by the U.S. Dressage Foundation, at the Earl Warren Showgrounds next Saturday (17). The rare event is designed for horse and rider who achieve the combined age of 100. Karen, her husband, Si, and son, Josiah, own […]

Hearts Therapeutic
By Lynda Millner   |   June 13, 2019

Guys and gals got out their cowboy hats and boots for the annual Barn Dance fundraising at the Carriage and Western Art Museum. This was all for the best cause – Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center (HTEC). Guests could mingle with a margarita, peruse the silent auction and enjoy a good ol’ fashioned Santa Maria BBQ. […]

Love Thy Neigh-bor
By Richard Mineards   |   May 16, 2019

Santa Barbara equestrian Karen Jenkins, 80, riding her quarter horse gelding Homer, who was celebrating his 20th birthday, made history in a Century Club ride at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. The rare event is designed for horse and rider who achieve the combined age of 100. Karen, the wife of Jedlicka’s Saddlery owner, Si Jenkins, […]

Let the Games Begin
By Richard Mineards   |   April 18, 2019

The fields are impeccably groomed, the horses are ready, and the best of the best competitors are heading to our rarefied enclave for the hotly anticipated opening of the Santa Barbara Polo Club’s 108th season on May 5. The season at the Engel & Volkers stadium will feature an exhilarating summer of action-packed tournaments and […]

Pegasus Luncheon
By Lynda Millner   |   October 18, 2018

Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center (HTEC) at 4420 Calle Real is a special place. As honoree and past president a couple of times, Barbara Toumayan shared, “It was a very small organization when I began fourteen years ago. It brings me total joy.” That will be echoed by thousands of individuals from children to adults since […]

Feeling Justified
By Richard Mineards   |   June 14, 2018

It has been quite an extraordinary six months for Montecito realtor Houghton Hyatt. It began catastrophically when her home was destroyed in the devastating mudslides, but has ended ecstatically with her father Ted Nixon‘s horse Justify winning the coveted Triple Crown just 111 days after its first ever race. “It is all quite extraordinary,” says […]